It is very likely that the name Francesco Ragazzi doesn't tell you much. This designer is considered one of the most influential fashion creators, yet few have heard of him and rarely read about him. Once the creative director of the influential brand Moncler, today he is the founder of a brand that has dominated the streetwear environment and NBA players. Who is the founder of Palm Angels and what inspires him to create further bestselling projects?
From Italy to California, from Moncler to Palm Angels
Although Palm Angels brings clear associations with the "city of angels", Los Angeles, the brand's headquarters is actually located in Milan, Italy. It is from Italy that the founder and designer of Palm Angels, Francesco Ragazzi, originates. He became more prominent in the world of fashion when he worked for the brand Moncler for ten years. Even then, Ragazzi's streetwear tendencies in aesthetics, translated into down jackets sold superbly in various colors, could be noticed.
These jackets are now a recognizable sign and a flagship product of the Moncler brand and it is hard to not find in them a significant contribution of the Italian fashion designer. Although during his tenure as Moncler's creative director, Ragazzi never stood out and rather hid behind the growing brand, in reality, it was he who set the direction for the development of the company, which today sells its products almost all over the world.
The position that Moncler's brand enjoys today is the result of strategies and projects led by Ragazzi. Five years ago, in 2015, Francesco Ragazzi decided to go his own way and fulfill himself in the role of director of his own brand. Palm Angels was created as a result of two places with which the designer strongly connected his life: Italy and Los Angeles.
What is the secret of Palm Angels' success?
Palm Angels achieved quick success not only due to the fact that its founder already had a good understanding of the market and numerous business contacts. The history of fashion has shown many times that it is not enough to achieve success, and this is what we should talk about in the context of the Palm Angels brand. The design that Ragazzi promotes in his brand is a combination of the vibe of skate culture from the 70s with the sunny scenery of California and, of course, with a note of Italian culture. This mix, which seems very explosive and hard to translate into clothing design, however, Ragazzi has had a plan and a vision for his projects from the beginning.
Therefore, in Palm Angels' collections, you can find everything that a stereotypical skater from sunny California might need. There are crewneck sweatshirts with the brand's logo, there are plaid shirts that can be thrown over simple, but eye-catching T-shirts, also with the brand's logo, and there are also socks with uncompromising graphics and inscriptions. There is no shortage of basics in a new, sunnier, and more youthful form.
However, this does not mean that Palm Angels collections are only aimed at young people who spend their free time on skateboards, longboards, surfboards, or rollerblades. Ragazzi's projects are literally snapped up by NBA athletes and the environment associated with American hip-hop. It may be the nonchalance of his projects, their universality, and the ability to combine streetwear with a new version of California casual.
Francesco Ragazzi: a new model of a designer
Interestingly, Ragazzi also does not avoid many interesting collaborations, often with other brands of a similar profile. Last year, he also created a collection in collaboration with Moncler. The combination of Plam Angels and Moncler aesthetics seemed very natural, since they share a common denominator in the form of Francesco Ragazzi. Indeed, the collection was well received and strengthened both Moncler and Palm Angels as two brands that effectively shape the contemporary fashion industry. Francesco Ragazzi fits perfectly into the trend of new designers, such as Virgil Abloh, for whom the overall vision of the brand is becoming much more important than specific tailoring skills or designing innovative clothing styles. This recipe for success works flawlessly, as evidenced by the sales columns of Palm Angels.
